What is Fortnite? A Parent’s Guide to Fortnite
Fortnite is an online video game developed by Epic Games that first launched in 2017. It has become especially well known for Fortnite Battle Royale, where players compete, explore, build and play together online.
Today, Fortnite is much more than one game. Players can choose from Battle Royale and Zero Build, as well as a huge range of games and experiences created within Fortnite. Epic describes Fortnite as a place where players can play with friends, explore games and take part in different experiences and events.
For parents, Fortnite can sometimes feel confusing — especially when children start talking about Battle Passes, skins, V-Bucks, squads and different game modes.
This guide explains what Fortnite is, how it works, what parents should know and the options available for managing how children play and communicate online.
At Streetside Gaming, Fortnite is also one of the most requested games at our gaming bus parties, so we regularly see first-hand how much children enjoy playing together with their friends.
What is Fortnite Battle Royale?
Fortnite Battle Royale is one of the best-known parts of Fortnite.
Players enter a large map and compete against other players with the aim of being the last player or team remaining. Epic currently describes its main Battle Royale experience as placing a player on an island with 99 other players.
During a match, players explore the map, collect weapons and equipment and try to survive as the playable area gradually becomes smaller.
Children can play on their own or together in teams, which is one of the reasons Fortnite has become such a popular social game.
There is also Zero Build, which uses similar Battle Royale gameplay but removes Fortnite’s building mechanics.
Fortnite Safety Guide Video
How Does Fortnite Work?
Fortnite is no longer just one type of game.
Players can choose from official Epic Games experiences such as Battle Royale and Zero Build, as well as a huge selection of other experiences created for the Fortnite platform. Fortnite also includes social experiences, racing, survival games and other styles of gameplay.
Players create or sign into an Epic Games account and can add friends, join parties and play together online.
One of Fortnite’s biggest attractions is that friends can play together even when they are using different supported gaming systems.
Fortnite is continually updated, so maps, characters, game modes and experiences can change over time.
Is Fortnite Suitable for a 7, 8, 9 or 10 Year Old?
This is ultimately a decision for each parent or guardian.
The important point is that Fortnite Battle Royale is PEGI 12, so PEGI does not recommend that particular experience for children under 12.
However, other experiences within Fortnite can have lower age ratings. Parents can use Epic’s parental controls to restrict access to experiences above a chosen age rating.
If you have a younger child who wants to use Fortnite, it is worth checking:
- which Fortnite experience they want to play
- its individual age rating
- who they will be playing with
- whether voice or text chat is enabled
- whether purchasing controls are in place.
Fortnite Zero Build,
At Streetside Gaming parties, parents can choose whether they are happy for their child to have access to Fortnite, rather than assuming every parent wants it available.
What Age is Fortnite Suitable For?
There isn’t one simple age rating that applies to everything available inside Fortnite.
Fortnite Battle Royale currently has a PEGI 12 rating because it features moderate violence. PEGI states that it is not suitable for children under 12.
However, Fortnite has developed into a platform containing many different experiences. PEGI now lists the wider Fortnite platform as Parental Guidance Recommended, as user-generated content can contain material that may not be suitable for younger children. Individual Fortnite experiences can also have their own age ratings.
For example, PEGI currently rates LEGO Fortnite Odyssey as PEGI 7, while Fortnite Battle Royale is PEGI 12.
Parents should therefore look at what their child is actually playing within Fortnite, rather than assuming every Fortnite experience has exactly the same rating.
Fortnite Pegi 12
Is Fortnite Safe for Children?
Fortnite includes a number of safety features, but parents should still take an active role in setting up their child’s account.
Epic provides parental controls that can manage areas such as voice and text chat, age-rated content, social connections and purchasing permissions.
Parents can also restrict access to Fortnite experiences based on their age rating. If a child attempts to access something above the permitted rating, Fortnite can require a parent or guardian to unlock it.
As with any online multiplayer game, it is sensible for parents to talk to children about:
- not sharing personal information
- who they are communicating with
- reporting inappropriate behaviour
- spending money online
- taking regular breaks
- telling an adult if something makes them uncomfortable.
Is Fortnite Violent?
Fortnite Battle Royale does involve combat.
Players use a variety of fictional weapons to eliminate opponents and attempt to become the last player or team remaining.
PEGI currently gives Fortnite Battle Royale a PEGI 12 rating for moderate violence.
The visual style is generally colourful and stylised rather than realistic, but parents should still consider their child’s age and their own views about games involving shooting and combat.
It is also worth remembering that Fortnite contains many experiences other than Battle Royale, so the type and level of action can vary depending on what is being played.
Does Fortnite Cost Money?
Fortnite can be downloaded and played for free.
Fortnite Battle Royale and many Fortnite experiences are free to play, although the game contains optional in-game purchases.
Players may choose to spend money on V-Bucks, passes, outfits and other digital content, but purchasing these items isn’t necessary simply to take part in Fortnite.
For children, parents may wish to use purchasing controls so that unexpected spending cannot take place.
What Are Fortnite Parental Controls?
Fortnite parental controls allow parents and guardians to manage parts of their child’s Fortnite experience.
Depending on the account and platform, controls can be used for things such as:
- voice and text chat
- content age ratings
- social connections
- purchasing permissions
- access to certain Fortnite experiences.
Epic’s parental-control system uses a PIN so that the settings cannot simply be altered without permission.
Parents can access these settings through their Epic Games account and choose controls appropriate for their child.
Because Fortnite changes regularly, it is worth reviewing parental-control settings occasionally rather than setting them once and forgetting about them.
Why Do Children Enjoy Fortnite?
There isn’t one single reason Fortnite has remained popular.
For many children, the biggest attraction is being able to play with their friends.
Rather than sitting next to each other taking turns with one controller, several friends can play together at the same time, talk, work as a team and compete against each other.
Fortnite also changes regularly, giving players new experiences to discover. In addition to Battle Royale, Fortnite now gives players access to a large collection of games and creator-made experiences.
There is also a strong social element. For many children, playing Fortnite is as much about having fun with their friends as it is about winning the game.
Fortnite at Streetside Gaming Parties
Fortnite is one of the most requested multiplayer games at Streetside Gaming parties.
One of the great things about playing Fortnite at a gaming bus party is that children are together in the same environment rather than playing separately from their own homes.
Our gaming setup allows up to 16 players to join the same Fortnite battle at once, creating some brilliant team matches between friends.
We also understand that not every parent wants their child to play Fortnite.
Parents can tell us if they would prefer Fortnite or other age-rated games not to be available to their child during the party.
Looking for a Fortnite Birthday Party?
If your child already loves Fortnite, you can also discover our Fortnite Gaming Bus Parties in Essex and Suffolk, where friends can play together as part of their birthday gaming experience.